| 1. Newington Considers Smart Growth for Downtown -- at a presentation to residents, "[Mayor Jeff] Wright painted a picture of smart growth with a walkable, livable community, complete with condominiums, shopping and a restaurant district," reported the New Britain Herald. Still awaiting local and state approvals, the project will receive $1 million in state Department of Economic and Community Development funding. The project calls for improved lighting, a center green, integrated sidewalks and more. "Other important ideas, [the mayor] added, are walkability, aesthetics, connectivity, traffic calming measures, better dumpster placement and bike racks."
2. Time for a New Form of Governance -- Retrofitting for the new low-carbon economy will mean more than overhauling old buildings and transit systems: it requires an updated governance model, integrated at federal and regional levels, said White House Office of Management and Budget Associate Director Xavier de Sousa Briggs at a recent conference in Cambridge, Mass. See the articles by Anthony Flint and Tom Condon for more about this subject.
3. The Future of Empty Car Dealerships --
Planetizen asked their readers for ideas for reusing the empty car dealerships cropping up around the country.
The top five:
1. Ask the local residents about what the community needs (228 votes)
2. Urban gardens (213 votes)
3. Create walkable, vibrant places and improve current communities (141 votes)
4. Farmers markets and local events (124 votes)
5. Solar and wind energy park/vehicle charging stations (109 votes)
4. Planners Talk About CT's Future -- Excellent article about Friday's regional planners' forum in Hartford. |
